Two men charged with marijuana, cocaine sales in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Two men were arrested last week on charges they sold marijuana and cocaine within the city of Portsmouth, following an investigation conducted by multiple agencies.

By JIM HADDADINjhaddadin@fosters.com

PORTSMOUTH — Two men were arrested last week on charges they sold marijuana and cocaine within the city of Portsmouth.

Portsmouth police announced the arrests Monday, following an investigation that involved the Drug Enforcement Administration and at least six other law enforcement agencies.

The first arrest came on Nov. 15. Police took 29-year-old Rochester resident Ryan Costantino into custody and charged him with two felony counts of selling marijuana. Costantino, who lives at 114 Maple St., was arraigned on Friday, Nov. 16, and ordered held on $5,000 cash bail, according to an announcement provided by Portsmouth Police Lieutenant Michael Maloney.

He was also held on a detainer issued by the probation and parole branch of the New Hampshire Department of Corrections.

Police also arrested Jose Torres, 33, of Waverly Avenue, Andover, Mass., on Nov. 16. He faces three charges alleging sale and possession of cocaine, all felonies. Torres was arrested by the Epping Police Department and is awaiting arraignment.

Cooperating in the investigation that led to the arrests of Costantino and Torres were the DEA, Portsmouth police, Epping police, the Department of Corrections, the New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force, and the Strafford and Rockingham county sheriff's offices.